here is nbc's joe pryor. >> reporter: a year that started with a controversy is ending with a diverseobe nominees. seven of the 30 film acting nods. >> i got 18 years of my life to stand in the same spot as you. >> vial lo davis and denzel washington in the movie "fences." today naomi my harris and mahersal ali. >> i think it's a day we live in the plaque experience. >> reporter: april reign created the spotlight in 2015 when all nominees were white t. same thing happened in 2016, project a boycott from host chris rock. the academy pushed to diversify it's membership, inviting fix new member, 21% people of color, hoping to avoid an oscars so white trilogy. >> women do things at nasa. >> reporter: many of the movies earning parades were in the works well before oscars, so a push for my diversity in front of the camera and behind it. joe pryor, nbc news, los angeles. >> nbc's "the tonight show" host jimmy fallon will host the dploebs. we have your forecast before you head out the door, plus a former member of congress gets ten years behind bars. you are watching "early today." per roll